StyledLife in Gaviidae Common II downtown is quitting business with 80 percent off everything in the fashion-forward accessory boutique for men and women. Sourced from high-end global vendors, the belts, ties, handbags, jewelry, scarves and luggage all get the discount. Owner and former Nordstrom fashion director Kevin Quinn filled the store with classic and edgy designs from Dunhill, Lambertson Truex, Kooba, and Botkier. Anything from StyledLife will make an exquisite birthday or anniversary gift. Fashionistas, this is your store. Metrosexuals, this is your store too. Oh, and I know you don’t like to be called a metrosexual anymore, but you know who you are.

For details, call 612-746-5400.  The sale starts Friday at the Gaviidae location only. The Galleria location in Edina will remain open.

This bankruptcy fever hit close to home today as my employer declared bankruptcy, but as of today I am still employed, so I’ll continue to ferret out the deals due to retail bankruptcies or near bankruptcies. Today’s update is Cost Plus World Market with five Twin Cities locations and Rochester. Most of the store is discounted only 10 percent, some 20 percent, and a smaller amount 30 percent.  World Market Wine shops, I’ll miss you most of all. Your low prices, good sales and small but well-chosen selection were a treat. Unfortunately, the wine shop merchandise is not discounted as part of the GOB sale. Although the wine shops were separate from the main stores due to Minnesota state law, they will close along with the main stores.

Circuit City started its liquidation sale at all locations Saturday. CC’s parking lots were jammed all weekend. Everything in the stores is discounted 10 percent except for DVDs and CDs which are discounted 20 percent and furniture, car audio accessories and cables at 30 percent off. A store rep told me that all previously-purchased extended warranties remain in effect because they are done via a third party. Hmmmm, stay tuned on that one.

It’s really a shame for consumers (and all CC employees) that it’s closing. Wal-Mart will still be a force to keep Best Buy’s prices low, but less competition is never good for consumers.

The Macy’s going-out-of-business sale at Brookdale had not started when I visited on Tuesday, but several sales clerks told me that the sale began Wednesday, January 14. Everything is discounted 30 percent or more. Only a few items are marked down 40 or 50 percent. The items in the cosmetics department were removed before the sale.  The store is expected to close March 10.

As I walked into Brookdale for the first time in over a year, I was shocked at its demise. Strefront after storefront is vacant or the gate pulled down with merchandise still inside. It’s jaw droppingly sad, but I couldn’t help but chuckle when I overheard one old guy say to his friend, “You could shoot a cannon ball from one end of the mall to the other and not hit anyone.” In some variation, it’s probably the most common phrase uttered in Brookdale these days. Kind of made me want to stuff a bottle of tequila in my coat pocket and take a gulp every time I heard someone say “You could _________(insert verb) a _________(insert noun) from one end of the mall to the other and not _______(insert verb) a ___________(insert noun).  If I start at 10 a.m., I bet I’ll be drunk by noon, passed out in the children’s roped off play area by 2 p.m. and discovered by security by…..  Well, I’ll be sober before security notices me.

RIP Macy’s and the retailers that preceded and will follow. Â

A very good neighborhood gift shop is breathing its last. In south Minneapolis, 42^nd St. Gifts (4165 Minnehaha Av. S., 612-721-4151) begins its going out of business sale today. Details about discounts to come, but it’s a good source for greeting cards, knickknacks, toys and household accessories.

It was a sad announcement that garden and home accessory retailer Smith & Hawken is closing its Maple Grove and St. Paul stores by Christmas. (The Galleria store in Edina will remain open.)

Just as unfortunate–there’s no need to rush out to nab deals at the two stores closing. Most of the sale merchandise is at the same discount at the stores closing as the ones remaining open. The only exception is floor model furniture discounted about 30 percent. One store rep said that the two stores have more floor samples of the furniture discounted 30 percent than the Edina location.

Meanwhile, I doubt that the two stores closing will really start to ramp up their discounts until Thanksgiving. Should be a heckuva day after Christmas sale. Until then, keep checking the website for sales too. The site has tons of lighting on sale now. Â